Abstract

This work uses a detailed understanding of the physics inside a wind turbine gearbox and SCADA temperature data as an alternative to data-driven techniques for fault detection. Thermal modelling based on the principles of heat transfer theory is used with the aim of understanding the thermal behaviour of a ‘healthy’ gearbox and use it to detect abnormal gearbox operating conditions. Data for turbines, ‘healthy’ and one month to fail, are analysed for two different failure modes to see if a fault can be detected in advance with the aim to improve physical understanding of wind turbine gearbox operation and condition monitoring techniques.

Highlights

  • The European Union has set a target for 2030 of at least 32% of energy from renewable sources [1] to meet its emissions reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement, to combat climate change

  • Internal and external environment and machine conditions can influence temperature measurements, so by analysing the evolution of temperature, it is important to note whether the increased temperature is from a fault, or from higher load

  • The temperature data has been binned into intervals of power and the mean and standard deviation of each bin is plotted

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Summary

Introduction

The European Union has set a target for 2030 of at least 32% of energy from renewable sources [1] to meet its emissions reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement, to combat climate change. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) contributes up to 25% of the total levelised cost of wind energy, for onshore and up to 40% for offshore [2]. A predictive maintenance strategy optimises asset life and resources to minimise O&M costs. Condition monitoring refers to processes that enable early detection of faults, failures and wear of machinery before they reach a catastrophic or secondary-damage stage. It can extend asset life, enable better maintenance planning and logistics, and can reduce routine maintenance [4], with the intention of minimising downtime, and O&M costs while maximising production [5]

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